As a chemistry PhD, and one who dislikes breathing/ingesting unknown substances in daily life, this is a topic I have had an interest in for a long time and one that I will come back to from time to time in this blog. It's also an issue that is familiar to China-residents, subjected as we are to poor quality construction materials, solvents and glues on a daily basis, often in our own homes.
So I read with interest the China Daily (the China English language newspaper) article "Excessive Levels of Toxins Found in Apartments" that appeared on 8th October. Here are some extracts:
GUANGZHOU: Researchers have discovered about 70 percent of apartments in Guangdong's provincial capital contained formaldehyde levels exceeding national standards, the Guangzhou daily reported yesterday.
Experts have urged local residents to avoid undertaking extensive home improvements, the newspaper reported. They also urged home-buyers to wait until their new residences pass environmental inspections before moving in
Guangzhou municipal environmental monitoring center official Li Yingwen said most dwellings with indoor pollution were constructed with substandard artificial panels and fiber boards, and poisonous paints. Some leather furniture also emitted formaldehyde. The chemical can irritate the eyes and lungs, and even trigger asthma attacks. Long term exposure has been linked to leukemia. "The more luxurious the apartments are, the more likely they are to be seriously contaminated" Li said. The formaldehyde levels in some recently completed luxury apartments are as high as 0.6mg per sq m - 5 times the national standard.
The finding of formaldehyde indicates that the culprits are synthetic resins, used not only in plastics (phenol-formaldehyde and related types) but also in materials used to treat and bond wood, leather and other seemingly "natural" materials. The study does not say if other volatile organics such as solvents were tested for in the study. It is both good to see that this issue is being monitored here in China, and disturbing that the problem is so widespread.
So what can we do? Here are some top of mind thoughts for those buying, decorating or furnishing homes:
1) use your nose - some of these materials (such as glue solvents) smell strongly, though some (such as formaldehyde) are less easily detected. Don't sign off against any new apartment or repair work unless it smells ok
2) for new apartments, insist on seeing the environmental inspection. At the same time if you are living in an area with poorly developed civic society/ legal system don't rely on it if your nose is telling you something different. In many parts of the world inspection "pass grades" are for sale
3) If you are redecorating, specify international brand paints and other building materials. Ask if glue will be used and where: eliminate it if possible (nails or tacks will often do the same job). Be prepared to hang around on site and inspect materials yourself, unless you can afford a good project manager to supervise on your behalf.
4) Don't bring suspect materials into your home. This includes all types of furnishings (carpets included). You may not be able to do a volatile organic measurement on the thing you are buying, but common sense will tell you a lot: does the item smell strange, glue-y or plasticky? Is it made by a reputable company or is it a cheap item by a manufacturer that you have never heard of?
5) Natural materials are good, but bear in mind that wood, leather, stone and wool are often treated with resin materials, or stuck onto backings that may be poor in quality. Look carefully and check what it is you are buying.
6) If your living environment smells bad, an air filter fitted with a charcoal filter may help, but you will need a big one with a high capacity and to run it 24-7 if you are going to make a meaningful difference. Air circulation (bathroom/kitchen extractor fans, open windows) will also help reduce the concentrations of organics in the air.
